What does it look like to hold onto hope even if it feels “hopeful-ish”?

In this honest and encouraging conversation, Annica sits down with author Scarlet Hiltibidal to talk about her latest book, Hopeful-ish - the kind of hope that wrestles with grief, disappointment, weariness, and unanswered questions, yet still choose to cling to faith.

Scarlet opens up about the personal story behind her book: a season marked by loss, family tragedy, pregnancy after a decade, and walking alongside her mother through stage-four cancer. She shares what it truly means to live with hope when comfort fails, identity feels stripped away, and obedience feels costly.

This episode is for anyone navigating hard seasons, burnout, grief, or spiritual weariness, and wondering if real hope is possible. You’ll hear more about...

• The story behind Scarlet’s book "Hopeful(ish)" and the reality of living with sadness and hope side by side
• How personal loss and unexpected blessings shaped her perspective
• The difference between comfort-seeking and true comfort and how modern self-care doesn’t always heal what’s hurting
• Why community, vulnerability, and choosing to show up matter
• Practical ways to hold onto hope and joy, even in the hardest seasons
• How obedience can unlock joy — even when it feels inconvenient
• Letting go of performance, productivity, and spiritual perfection.

Whether you’re feeling weary, searching for encouragement, or simply want to hear a story of faith in the trenches, this episode will remind you: you’re not alone, and hope is possible, even it it feels “hopeful-ish”.

You can follow Scarlet on Instagram @scarlethiltibidal or check out her latest (or other) books>>>

* Hopeful-ish: Sadness, Weariness, Donkey Attacks, More Sadness, and Other Stuff You Need the Gospel For

*Afraid of All the Things: Tornadoes, Cancer, Adoption, and Other Stuff you Need the Gospel For

*You're the Worst Person in the World: Why It's the Best News Ever that You Don't Have it Together, You Aren't Enough, and You Can't Fix It on Your Own

*He Numbered the Pores on My Face: Hottie Lists, Clogged Pores, Eating Disorders, and Freedom from It All

What if it wasn't a massive overhaul you needed in an area of your life…but one tiny tweak instead?

In this honest and hope-filled conversation, Erin Port of Simple, Purposeful Living, and author of Tiny Tweaks, Happy Life: Simple Changes to Create Space for What Matters — shares how the smallest, simplest shifts helped her rebuild her life in a season of exhaustion and overwhelm and how they can help you, too.

No quick fixes. No “new year, new you.” Just grace, awareness, and little daily decisions that create real momentum in your life. We're talking about:

• Why your brain actually prefers big solutions — and why they don’t work
• The surprising science behind small wins and how they restore confidence
• The #1 thing that kills momentum (and what to do about it)
• Finding freedom from comparison and the pressure to “always improve”
• Simple, life-giving tweaks for your home, your motherhood, and your mental clarity
• Erin’s two go-to tweaks ANYONE can start today
• A surprisingly simple yet genius snack hack for moms whose snacks keep running out (you’ll steal it!)
• The single question to ask yourself before saying yes to anything new

If you’re tired, overwhelmed, or craving a simpler way to live with purpose — this episode will breathe fresh hope into your day. You can find Erin at simplepurposefulliving.com or follow along on Instagram @simplepurposefulliving. Her new book Tiny Tweaks, Happy Life: Simple Changes to Create Space for What Matters can now be pre-ordered! If you're new here, welcome! If you loved this conversation, please leave a review and share your thoughts. Then, come follow along on Instagram @annicafischer.

Author, Kate Angelo joins us to share her powerful story of rising from childhood trauma and foster care to becoming a writer and eventually creating a voice of hope and healing in relationships. We talk about the power of storytelling that helped rewrite her own story.

Kate’s story is raw, redemptive, and deeply hopeful—and her wisdom around relationships, marriage, and healing is something every listener will walk away changed by.

Kate shares:

• Her story of parental kidnapping, abuse, and abandonment

• Finding an unexpected escape (and later, calling) through story

• How a blind writing audition launched her debut novel

• The tender, surprising ways God has healed her story

• Why relationship skills are learned, not inherited

• The simple communication tools she teaches that can transform marriages

• How appreciation, respect, and emotional safety reshape homes and families

Whether you’re navigating your own hard story, longing for healthier relationships, or simply curious about the creative journey behind her books, this episode will meet you right where you are.

Mentioned in this episode: Kate's new book - Girl Lost

You can follow Kate Angelo on Instagram @kateangeloauthor _____ If you're new here, welcome! If you loved this conversation, please leave a review and share your thoughts. Then, come follow along on Instagram @annicafischer.

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “Is this God's voice I'm hearing… or just my own overthinking?” — welcome. You’re in good company.

In today’s episode of The Tried and Truth Podcast, we sit down with Rachael Groll — author of Knowing God's Voice and host of the Hearing Jesus podcast — to talk about what it really looks like to hear God’s voice in the middle of everyday chaos, fear, and distraction. She opens up about her own journey through different seasons of life, from motherhood to global ministry, and the lessons learned about surrender, obedience, and faith.

• Why doing all the "right things" doesn’t mean you’re actually listening
• Practical tips for recognizing God’s voice versus distractions, emotions, or outside influences.
• Real-life stories from Rachel’s decades in ministry, including lessons learned as a mom, leader, and global spiritual care director.
• Insights from her new book, “Knowing God’s Voice,” with a focus on biblical women and their journeys of faith.
• Honest discussion about overcoming insecurity and the fear of “missing it” when it comes to God’s guidance.
• Encouragement for women in every season—whether you’re a student, working mom, or navigating a major life transition.

Resources Mentioned:

"Knowing God's Voice" by Rachael Groll (available wherever books are sold) & Hearing Jesus Podcast & Hearing Jesus for Kids Podcast If you're new here, welcome! This is the mentorship podcast (for grown ups) you didn't even know you needed. Each week we talk all things life, parenting, entrepreneurship, and all the in between with experts, mentors, and friends. Come follow along on Instagram @annicafischer

In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into a topic that most people have felt but few of us know how to actually navigate: offense. The kind that comes from unmet expectations, painful conversations, broken trust, or even wounds we thought we’d already healed from. My guest, Alexandra Hoover—author, pastor, and Bible teacher—joins us for a powerful conversation around her new book, You Can Let Go, and what it really looks like to release offense and step into freedom.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What offense actually is and why it keeps us stuck
• How unaddressed offense shapes our identity and relationships and where rejection, insecurity, and people-pleasing come into play.
• The difference between healthy boundaries and building walls that keep us isolated
• Practical steps to let go of offense
• How offense can shape our identity and relationships if left unaddressed
• The importance of vulnerability and honest self-reflection in the healing process

Key Quotes:

• “We either get to be hurt people that hurt people, or healed people that heal people.”
• “You do not have to stay stuck in your hurt. Healing may take time, but you don’t have to wait for an apology to move forward.”

Resources Mentioned:

• Alexandra’s free devotional: 7 Heart-Healing Practices to Release Offense, Forgive Freely, and Finally Feel Free
• "You Can Let Go" by Alexandra Hoover (available on Amazon)
• Connect with Alexandra:
  • Instagram: @alexandravhoover
  • Website: alexandravhoover.com

Takeaway: Letting go of offense is a daily practice that leads to freedom, deeper relationships, and a more meaningful life. Tune in for encouragement, practical tools, and a reminder that you are not alone on the journey.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode if it encouraged you!

If the world feels loud right now, you’re not imagining it. We’re living in a culture that’s constantly pushing us to keep up, perform, react, and stay “on.” And in the middle of that pressure, it can be really easy to lose your sense of peace, identity, and direction.

In this conversation, I’m joined by author and Bible teacher Marian Jordan Ellis, and we’re talking about what it actually looks like to stay anchored when everything around us feels like it’s moving faster than we can keep up.

If you’ve been feeling distracted or untethered lately, this conversation is your reminder that you don’t have to drift. Drop the anchor.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How to stay rooted when everything around you feels shaky
• Why remembering God’s past faithfulness helps you today
• Raising wise, discerning kids without slipping into fear or legalism
• “Digital Junk Food”, everyday distractions, and what actually nourishes your soul
• Marian’s powerful “Where else would I go?” moment that anchored her faith during trials

Connect with Marian: thisredeemedlife.org | @marianjordanellis

What if the words we use with our kids become the soundtrack they carry into adulthood?

In this honest, hope-filled conversation, Amy Hughes—mom of nine and author of Words Like Honey—shares how the smallest phrases we say (or don't say) can shape our kids’ confidence, connection, and sense of belonging.

We talk about:

• Why awareness (not perfection) changes everything

• The power of repair after we miss it

• Simple ways to speak life into your kids right where you are

No matter what season of parenting you’re in, this one’s a breath of fresh air—a gentle nudge to slow down, notice the power of words in our kids lives, and choose words to build a strong foundation.

You can follow Amy on IG @simplelittleamy.

If you're new here, welcome! Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast so you don't miss any of the "breath of fresh air" episodes from some incredible experts, mentors, and friends. If you loved this conversation, leave a review or share it with a friend! Then, come join me on Instagram @annicafischer.

Sometimes the hardest seasons become the birthplace of our biggest dreams.

In this episode, we sit down with Kimmie Ellis, co-founder of La Palmilla Texas Hotel, a luxury boutique hotel oasis — recently recognized by National Geographic as a Top 10 Texas family-friendly hotel.

Kimmie shares how she and her husband, Mitchell, walked through one of the most difficult chapters of their lives and turned that pain into purpose — a contagious dream that created a space where others could rest, reconnect, and rebuild.

This is more than a story about building a business; it’s about becoming the kind of person who can hold a dream when the path isn’t clear and invite others in — one breadcrumb, one brave step at a time.

You’ll Hear:

• How a marriage struggle sparked the vision for La Palmilla
• The (surprising) steps, and merging of dreams, that turned an Airbnb idea into a luxury retreat
• What it looks like to build something with intention
• How they held onto a dream even when the path wasn’t clear

If you’re sitting on a dream—or walking through a hard season—maybe today’s episode is your reminder that what looks like a obstacle might just be the beginning of your next great story.

Check out La Palmilla @ lapalmillatx.comor follow along on Instagram: @lapalmillatx